Sodick AG40L

$130,000 – $220,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

X/Y Travel

400 x 300 mm (15.7 x 11.8 in)

Z Travel

250 mm (9.8 in)

U/V Travel

±40 mm (±1.6 in)

Max Workpiece Dimensions

750 x 600 x 250 mm

Max Workpiece Weight

250 kg (551 lb)

Wire Diameter Range

0.1 – 0.3 mm (brass or coated wire)

Overview

The Sodick AG40L is a compact CNC wire EDM machine designed for toolrooms, small die shops, and precision component manufacturers who require Sodick's linear motor drive technology in a space-efficient footprint. With a 400 x 300 mm X/Y travel envelope and a 250 kg maximum workpiece weight, the AG40L handles the bulk of everyday precision wire EDM work — punches, dies, mold inserts, fixtures, and custom precision components — while occupying significantly less floor space than mid-size or large wire EDM machines.

Despite its compact dimensions, the AG40L does not compromise on the core technology that distinguishes Sodick from conventional wire EDM manufacturers. All axes are driven by Sodick's proprietary linear motors, eliminating the backlash and mechanical wear inherent in ballscrew-driven machines. The SP digital generator with K-SMC adaptive control delivers the same discharge management as larger AG models, maintaining stable cutting on thin workpieces, stacked plates, and hardened tool steels.

The AG40L achieves surface finishes to Ra 0.1 micron with multiple skim passes on hardened steel, making it suitable for precision punch and die work where surface quality directly affects part life and functional performance. The machine accepts wire diameters from 0.1 to 0.3 mm, providing flexibility between high-speed roughing and fine finishing modes. Automatic wire threading with water-jet assist enables unattended overnight production runs.

For small shops and toolrooms looking to step up from older ballscrew wire EDM technology, the AG40L provides a technology upgrade path with a lower capital outlay than larger Sodick models, while delivering the long-term accuracy stability that linear motors provide over years of production use.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X/Y Travel	400 x 300 mm (15.7 x 11.8 in)
Z Travel	250 mm (9.8 in)
U/V Travel	±40 mm (±1.6 in)
Max Workpiece Dimensions	750 x 600 x 250 mm
Max Workpiece Weight	250 kg (551 lb)
Wire Diameter Range	0.1 – 0.3 mm (brass or coated wire)
Max Cutting Speed	350 mm²/min (in 50 mm steel with 0.25 mm wire)
Surface Finish	Ra 0.1 µm (final skim passes on steel)
Max Taper Angle	±30° over 80 mm height
Drive System	All-axis linear motor (no ballscrews)
Generator	Sodick SP digital generator with K-SMC adaptive control
Auto Wire Threading	Yes — water-jet assist
Control	Sodick LN2W CNC
Machine Footprint	Approx. 1,800 x 2,100 mm
Power Supply	200V, 3-phase, 50/60 Hz

Specifications sourced from sodick.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Compact footprint brings Sodick linear motor technology into space-constrained toolrooms
All-axis linear motor drive delivers zero-backlash accuracy at an accessible entry price for Sodick
Ra 0.1 µm surface finish capability for precision punch/die work in hardened tool steel
K-SMC adaptive control maintains stable cutting on thin and stacked workpiece configurations
Automatic wire threading supports unattended overnight production runs

Limitations

250 mm Z travel limits workpiece height — not suitable for very tall die blocks or extrusion tools
250 kg workpiece limit excludes heavier large-format die work
Linear motor system requires Sodick-certified service — not accessible to general EDM technicians
±40 mm U/V travel restricts taper cutting capability compared to larger AG models

Best For

Small die shops and toolrooms needing a compact wire EDM with long-term accuracy stability Precision punch and die manufacturers cutting hardened D2, M2, and HSS tooling Mold insert makers producing small cavity features, gate inserts, and lifter tips Medical device and electronics manufacturers cutting precision components in hardened stainless and titanium

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Is the AG40L suitable as a first wire EDM machine?

Yes. The AG40L is a practical first or primary wire EDM for small shops and toolrooms. Its LN2W control with on-board condition databases simplifies setup for operators new to wire EDM, while the linear motor drive and SP generator provide technology that will remain competitive for many years. The compact footprint also minimizes facility impact.

02 How does the AG40L differ from the AG600L beyond table size?

The AG40L and AG600L share the same core technology — linear motor drives, SP generator, K-SMC adaptive control, and LN2W CNC. The AG40L is optimized for smaller workpieces with a 400 x 300 mm X/Y travel and 250 kg capacity. The AG600L handles larger die plates and heavier workpieces. If your work regularly falls within 350 x 250 mm, the AG40L provides all the technology you need at a lower cost.

03 What is the typical cutting speed on the AG40L?

On 50 mm thick hardened steel (HRC 60) with 0.25 mm wire, the AG40L achieves approximately 300–350 mm²/min during rough cutting. On thinner workpieces (20 mm), speeds increase proportionally. Coated wire can improve roughing speed by 15–25% over bare brass on the same settings.

04 Can the AG40L cut stacked plates?

Yes. Stacking multiple thin plates and cutting them simultaneously is a common technique on the AG40L for high-volume punch production. The K-SMC adaptive control manages the interruptions in workpiece cross-section at each plate interface, reducing wire breaks and maintaining cutting stability through the full stack height.

05 What dielectric fluid does the AG40L use?

The AG40L uses deionized water as its dielectric fluid, which is standard for wire EDM. A built-in water deionization and filtration system maintains appropriate resistivity. Deionized water is preferred over oil dielectric for wire EDM because it provides cooling efficiency and enables the flushing pressures required for stable high-speed cutting.